New Years Eve and New Years Day

New Years Eve and Day,

New Years Eve day it poured rain in Chania so it was a day to seek  inside activity. 

Walking the narrow and ancient Venetian streets every open door reveals a surprise such as this room for rent. Note the  tub. covered bed and quaint sitting area under an arch.  

I went to the Naval Museum that featured 6000 years of naval history. The picture below I took on the old sea wall of the boat building sheds of the ancient Venetians. They stand mostly empty today but the diorama depicts what they looked like 700 years ago.

The Naval Museum also offered an exquisite room filled with nothing but Cretan shells.

The afternoon was spent in a street café listening to live music, feasting on souvlaki while watching the locals dance in the streets these personal Greek dances.

In the afternoon I picked up the rental car and moved out to Almyrida, a small village on the coast. Driving in Chania  is not very different from downtown Montreal where I learned to drive. One difference however is that stop signs are suggestions and the Cretans drive with a certain abandon. It is not uncommon in the country to find oncoming traffic passing on a turn so the way to stay alive is to stay as far right as possible. The roadside memorials, similar to our MADD crosses, are small shrines and they are everywhere!

In the village of Almyrida, most cafes and seaside restaurants etc are closed now as this is their winter. It may get down to 10C but normally it is about 15C. Today I was very warm. 

I attended a New Years Eve dinner and dance in a family taverna in Vamos. I was with several British ex-pats who have made this region their new home. The food literally did not stop. The parade of courses left all begging for mercy. It began with breads served with several tasty dips, then came the pork chops, several salads, followed by lamb with roast potatoes, followed by a roast beef dinner and roast chicken. I cannot begin to list the other items that accompanied the main dishes. The fine homemade wine was endless.

Midnight in Valmos

One of the most enjoyable features of the Cretans is that children participate fully in everything. Going out for supper means showing up, for me, at about 9:30 to a rather empty restaurant which will be filled by 10:30 with families and their children as well as others out for the evening meals.

They are so well behaved. 

They patiently find things to entertain themselves without being a noisy distraction or drawing attention to themselves.  Often they have an interest in my bald head- not often seen here - and my Australian kangaroo hat, which they may take turns wearing. 

Here the children wait for the cutting of the New Years Cake after everyone finishes the hugging and best wishes. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR